Resort is star in trailer for new Top Gear programme

Blackpool plays a starring role in the first ever trailer for the BBC's revamped popular Top Gear series.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Apr 2016, 15:38 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2016, 09:01 BST
Matt LeBlanc braves the cold on his way to Blackpool in an open-topped Robin ReliantMatt LeBlanc braves the cold on his way to Blackpool in an open-topped Robin Reliant
Matt LeBlanc braves the cold on his way to Blackpool in an open-topped Robin Reliant

The advert shows Top Gear host Matt LeBlanc speeding an open-topped Reliant Robin into the resort – on the back of a recovery truck on the M6 after experiencing a nasty break-down, as previously revealed by The Gazette. Scowling in his coat and American flag helmet and sneezing in the cold, he complains: “I’m going to have a good long talk with the wardrobe department. With a stick. A big stick.”

The former Friends star broke down in a retail outlet car park in Staffordshire and was forced to make an pit stop in his stars-and-stripes emblazoned car part-way through the show’s London to Blackpool challenge, which took place in February.

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He was meant to be racing co-host Evans, whose car was covered with the Union flag, in a ‘GB vs USA’ competition.

Matt LeBlancs Robin Reliant on the back of a lorryMatt LeBlancs Robin Reliant on the back of a lorry
Matt LeBlancs Robin Reliant on the back of a lorry

Top Gear’s one-of-a-kind visit to the resort saw fans from across the Fylde coast gather on the Promenade to watch stunts and an American Jeep and a British Land Rover racing along the sands.

Despite the heavy rain and strong winds, Evans declared: “Blackpool is so brilliantly British today.”

Other clips included in the trailer show supercars and classic automobiles, such as the McLaren 675LT and the Ferrari F12 TDF, whizzing through America, Morocco, France and the United Arab Emirates.

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The clip also shows new host Chris Evans looking a bit queasy as co-presenter Sabine Schmitz takes him for a spin - and she is forced to pull over and let him out of her pristine red Audi R8 to vomit.

Chris Evans and Jensen Button share a laughChris Evans and Jensen Button share a laugh
Chris Evans and Jensen Button share a laugh

Jenson Button also makes an appearance, giving Evans a spin around the track in a bright green McLaren 675LT.

Included in the trailer are clips from filming in the UK, US, Morocco, France and the UAE.

A Dodge Viper ACR with a Browning machine-gun roof attachment makes an appearance in Nevada, while a yellow Ford Mustang is shown in Scotland. Car fans will be able to spot an orange Ariel Nomad in Morocco and a Ferrari F12 TDF at Paul Ricard circuit in France.

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However, there is no footage from Kazakhstan - as a big budget Top Gear trip had to be cancelled when the team were not permitted to fly from Moscow.

Chris Evans puts a supercar through its pacesChris Evans puts a supercar through its paces
Chris Evans puts a supercar through its paces

Also not included is footage of Matt LeBlanc and rally driver Ken Block performing “doughnuts” around the Cenotaph in London.

The stunt caused an uproar, with Evans apologising and promising the footage would not be aired.

The show will be re-launched in May.

Related topics:Matt LeBlancBlackpoolBBCAmericanFerrari